Kid friendly restaurants near Theater district

[Patty3]

My DH let it slip that he was planning a surprise trip to NYC for my birthday and the whole family is going. Three marrried children and their spouses plus two grandchildren. The first night the grandchildren will not be there and we are going to Babbo, one of my favorite restaurants. For the second night we are looking for a place near the theater district, staying at the Crowne Plaza, and will have two children, 5 and 7. I am looking for a nice place but somewhere where the children can have pasta or chicken. We were going to Bar Americain but there is nothing on the menu the kids like. Any suggestions? Also, I have not stayed at the Crowne Plaza, what are your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Carmine's... Family Style, Italian, delicious and they make homemade killer cherry cokes for kids...

 

[pjm-guy]

My kids love to go to Ellen's Stardust Diner - home of the famous singing waitstaff! On or about 51st & Broadway which is near your hotel. Nice place, we stayed there once a long time ago........

 

[LoraJ]

My kids love to go to Ellen's Stardust Diner - home of the famous singing waitstaff! On or about 51st & Broadway which is near your hotel. Nice place, we stayed there once a long time ago........

I was going to suggest this as well. it's loud and a lot of fun. Food isn't the greatest, but the kids should like it.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

ELLEN'S STARDUST DINER!!!!!!

You gotta go, it is truly amazin the kids will like the food, the adults eh. Its alright.

Their desserts are totally amazing, but the singing waitstaff is totally worth it!

 

[singingpixie]

It's not exactly NYC-specific, but there is an Olive Garden in Times Square that could be a fallback if you want something familiar.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

If you don't have enough suggestions by tomorrow then I will take a walk there. I'm only a few blocks over. As I always brown bag lunch I have no idea what's out there.
I do know the M&M store is close by and there is always Planet Hollywood. Hmm, now that I'm thinking about it Bubba Gumps is in the area and we always go to this small Italian place that is right next to The Little Mermaid (closer to 8th then 7th). That's really good. Of course I can't remember the name but the food is excellent. DD always gets pasta with butter but that's one of her favorites!

I'll take a walk tomorrow if there aren't more names for you then.

 

[minniemair]

I second Carmine's. They seve Italian food family style-large platters you pass around the table. Each diner doesn't order an entree, you order several for the table to share. We go see a show each year with DH's family instead of exchanging Christmas gifts and eat there each time. Make reservationsif your'e going on a weekend.

 

[Principessa1284]

Carmines is fantastic! We go there everytime we go to NYC.

I also highly recommend Jekyll & Hyde's.. I remember it being near Tiffany's, but I'm not sure exactly where it is. It's like a cross between the haunted mansion and the adventure's club, theme wise. They have actors roaming around, and embarass people real good, especially if they have special occasions going on. It's a good time!

 

[momrek06]

Carmine's is AWESOME. Call them and get yourself a ressie as it is ALWAYS packed BUT so well worth it. The food is fab and the portions are HUGE!!!

http://www.carminesnyc.com/

How about MARS 2112...another family fun restaurant right across from Ellen's!!!

http://www.mars2112.com/about.htm

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have been to Ellens and Mars2112 so I can definetely say if my party consisted mostly of children under 12 I would definetely go there. The food is not terrible, but it is definetely not something that you would write home about....

I believe the OP only has a few children and mostly adults. So something like John's Pizzeria and or Carmines are definetely a good idea.

It is a good idea to STAY AWAY from chain restaurants when you are in the city. While, the food is predictable, the restaurants are overly crowded and prices are way inflated from what you are used to paying at said restaurant.

 

[Missy1961]

Along with Carmine's I'd recommend Virgil's BBQ. It's also on 44th St. Great food, reasonable prices, very family friendly. My nieces love it, I took a friend & his teen age sons, they loved it too.

http://www.virgilsbbq.com/

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

If you are considering Carnegie's go the Stage Deli, 1/2 block south on 7th Ave. The food's better and the lines are shorter. I have family that live right on 7th Avenue and my kids spend several weeks each summer in NYC. Their recommendation would be Ellen's Stardust Diner.

 

[justhat]

For my daughter's 4th birthday we saw the Little Mermaid and for lunch she chose Mars 2112 and loved it. The food is very average, but the kids love it and you get an arcade card with a kids meal so they can play some games too.

Carmine's and Ellen's are also great choices. Jekyll and Hyde I loved as a teen, but it's a bit far from the theater district if you're planning to stay right around there.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

It's not exactly NYC-specific, but there is an Olive Garden in Times Square that could be a fallback if you want something familiar.

Again, not very NYC but if the kids are picky there's also an Applebees, Planet Hollywood, and TGI Friday's in the Times Square area too.